Fans know Midsomer as the home of traditional pubs, village
greens, fetes and Sunday afternoon cricket. They watch the
improbable number of murders committed in dastardly yet
creative ways, and solved by the unflappable Detective Chief
Inspector Barnaby of Causton CID. But thats the fictional
Midsomer County.

The real-life Midsomer Murders locations are spread across
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire where towns and villages have
names every bit as wonderful as their fictional counterparts.
South Oxfordshires villages, stately homes, stone
cottages and market towns provide around half of the filming
locations.

Henley-on-Thames

Henleys historic heart sits just a few strides from
the River Thames. The main street has many Georgian frontages
covering older buildings and among the 300 buildings within the
town designated of special architectural or historical
interest are St Marys Church, the Town Hall, Market
Place and the 18th Century stone bridge.

Dorchester

The Roman town of Dorcic, or Dorchester as it is now called,
is an attractive and prosperous Thames-side village. The
village is actually about a quarter of a mile away from the
Thames at its confluence with the River Thame. Along the High
Street there are a number of fine period buildings which give
the village its special character. Today Dorchester is firmly
established on the tourist trail due in part to being a
popular location for the TV series Midsomer Murders and scenes from several episodes have been filmed in the
village.

Wallingford

Wallingford is a riverside town of narrow 9th century
streets, a half-cobbled square and Elizabethan town hall. The
river Thames at Wallingford is spanned by a 16 arch bridge and
makes a splendid entrance to the town. Wallingfords 16th
century town hall hosts the tourist information
centre.

The 19th century corn exchange is a theatre and it doubles
as Causton theatre and the amateur dramatic group often provide
extras for episodes of Midsomer Murders. Queen of English crime
writing. Agatha Christie, lived and wrote in Wallingford. She
is buried in nearby Cholsey.

Waddesdon Manor

Built in the late 19th century by Baron Ferdinand de
Rothschild, this stately home near Aylesbury in
Buckinghamshire, masquerades as a 16th century French Chateau.
It was created by Rothschild to house his collection of 18th
century French art and to entertain his fashionable friends.
Today it is owned by the National Trust and maintained by them
along with Rothschild family trusts.

Day 1

We depart Cumbria for the journey south, we make a short lunch stop in the historic town of Warwick on our way to Berkshire and arrive late afternoon at the Millenium Madejski Hotel, Reading, our base for the next 4 nights. Dinner in the hotel.

D

Day 2

For our excursion today, we are joined by a local guide, our first visit is to Henley-on-Thames, probably most famous for its annual Royal Rowing Regatta, we enjoy a relaxing one-hour cruise on this lovely stretch of the River Thames. This is followed by a leisurely one-hour walking tour of Henley. We then have some free time, perhaps visit the River & Rowing Museum or see the beautiful church where Dusty Springfield is buried. Our guided tour in the afternoon visits some of the beautiful little towns, villages and rolling hills which are the settings for Midsomer Murders and the centre of DCI Barnaby’s investigations. Dinner in the hotel.

B, D

Day 3

Our first stop today is Dorchester-on-Thames, here we have an included walking tour of this picture postcard village built up around one of England’s most historic Abbeys. Following time for a drink in one of the historic coaching inns or tea rooms, we head to the medieval market town of Wallingford, It has a riverside setting with narrow 9th century streets, a half-cobbled square and Elizabethan town hall. A 16 arch bridge spans the River Thames and makes a splendid entrance to the town. We have a short guided walking tour of the town and chance to visit the Wallingford Museum which offers a glimpse of the past with an audio commentary walk through time in the Wallingford Story. In the afternoon we meet one of the actors who has appeared in Midsomer murders, over a cream tea in a traditional 16th Century coaching inn, he will entertain us with stories from Midsomer and more. Dinner in the hotel.

B, D

Day 4

This morning we travel through the Chiltern Hills towards Aylesbury and an included visit to Waddesdon Manor, built in the 1870s for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. This French Renaissance-style château has a fine art collection and one of the best Victorian gardens in Britain. On arrival we have a brief introduction to the estate over tea/coffee and biscuits in the café before have time at leisure to explore the house and gardens. Dinner in the hotel tonight.

B, D

Day 5

After breakfast we leave our hosts at the Millenium Madejski Hotel and begin our journey home, calling at the lovely cathedral city of Lichfield for lunch, before arriving back in Cumbria early evening.

B

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included

Millenium Madejski Hotel Reading

Featuring a swimming pool, a hot tub, a sauna and a fitness
centre, the 4-star Millennium Madejski in Reading is
conveniently located right next to The Royal Berkshire
Conference Centre and adjacent to the Madejski Stadium.

Each room here features a flat-screen TV, a safety deposit
box, coffee and tea making facilities, and an en-suite
bathroom.

Guests can dine in the award-winning Cilantro Restaurant
& Champagne Bar, serving international cuisine. Further
options include a brasserie, a bar and a restaurant serving
Thai cuisine.

Further facilities include concierge services, a 24-hour
room service and a business centre.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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